Big Brother 2011 launch night: 14 new housemates enter, Pamela Anderson surprises contestants

A total of 14 new housemates entered the Big Brother house tonight for the launch of Channel 5's new series.

Following last night's Celebrity Big Brother live final, host Brian Dowling introduced a new batch of regular housemates competing to win £100,000 prize money.

First to enter was 28-year-old sales assistant Mark Henderson, a self-described "modern day jester" who received the biggest cheers of the night from the live audience.

Next in was 19-year-old Abercrombie & Fitch model Maisy James, who entered to heavy boos, followed by 30-year-old father of one Aaron Allard-Morgan.

The three were then joined by holistic healer Heaven Africa, a vegan ex-model who promises to be "brutally honest" during her time in the house.

20-year-old retail assistant Tom O'Connell was next to enter the house, enjoying a good reaction from the crowds, followed by 21-year-old competitive gymnast Tashie Jackson.

The seventh housemate in was 19-year-old psychology student Aden Theobald, who claims to have an IQ of over 160.

The housemates were then joined by 18-year-old McDonalds worker Alex Rose and 23-year-old Conservative entrepreneur Harry Blake.

The 27-year-old club hostess Rebeckah Vaughan entered next, but burst into tears as she walked through the doors and had to be comforted by her new housemates.

Dowling then introduced 23-year-old London record producer Anton Murphy, followed by 19-year-old professional wrestler Faye Palmer, who performs under the stage name Darcy Steele.

Geordie fitness instructor and plumber Jay McKray entered to big cheers from the live crowd, while the final entrant of the night was 25-year-old former Miss Manchester Louise Cliffe.

After entering the house the new arrivals were joined by surprise special guest Pamela Anderson.

Anderson has now reportedly selected Tom, Faye, Tashie, Heaven and Louise to join her in a special VIP area.

The first regular episode of Big Brother airs Saturday on Channel 5.

Scroll through a gallery of this year's Big Brother contestants below: